2 February 1953

After the Flood

The Netherlands is engulfed by a storm tide on 1 February 1953. In the provinces of Zeeland, South Holland, and West Brabant, the flood kills nearly two thousand people and tens of thousands of animals. Aid is organized immediately. A collection of clothing and shoes by the Red Cross in Amsterdam on 2 February almost buries the helpers. This is one of a series of photos by press photographer Ben van Meerendonk.
In 2004 another special document on the flood was found at the IISH. A 16 mm film about Willem Drees, a former prime minister, contains color pictures of the reconstruction work following the calamity. (call number BG F2/823)

See also:

•  More photographs of flood disaster 1953
•  Search IISH collections and databases for 'watersnoodramp'(flood disaster)

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